Ohtani agrees to record $700 million 10-year contract with Dodgers

Not just wow, but WOW! I stand corrected here. I figured he would get a large contract, but no where near 10 years, and 700 freaking million dollars?

Congrats to Otani, his future kids, grandkids, great grandkids and for ever!

As someone who grew up as a San Francisco Giants fan I hope the Dodgers just wasted a bunch of money and Ohtani's best years are behind him.

The Dodgers were the guesses of a lot of people. Good for them. The lineup of Betts, Freeman, ane Ohtani at the top of the order is truly imposing. If he is able to return to pitching, LA gets a bonus.

Stay healthy Shohei!!! Please don't forget about Tohoku, like the national government has.

Outstanding! Worth every cent of that $700 mill to the Dodgers, too.

And to think there were a few people out there saying that he wouldn't go for a record price! As a double threat who adds so much to a team, it was never in doubt.

Go get 'em, GOAT!

Stadiums are not too far apart. Wide choice of areas to live. With that kind of money, beach house in Malibu! Maybe a condo nearby the stadium.

Welcome to the home of Jackie Robinson, Koufax, Drysdale, Lasorda, Campanella, and just heal up, rest, and go do your thang.

@Nadrew Plus a driver. LA traffic SUCKS.

Wow,…just wow.

I wonder what it’s like being rich

So after taxes, how much does he actually take home?

I posted a long time ago he would sign with the LA Dodgers. First there’s a big Japanese population in Southern California, second all he has to do is change uniforms and jump on the 57 freeway to the 110N he will not have to change is home location at all. As I have said I have seen Ohtani and Mookie Betts out and about no on one occasion but several. Ohtani has won at every level he has agreed to take deferred compensation to join the Dodgers who have been in the post season since he arrived. Basically the only thing that changes for Ohtani is just the uniform the fans that flocked to Anaheim stadium will now have to deal with the traffic getting in and into Chavez ravine. I expect to see Every Dodgers game now broadcasted live in Japan. They will have billboards touting Ohtani all over Southern California. There will be lucrative Japanese advertising in rotating signs behind home plate at Dodger Stadium. There will be sponsorships. Merchandise. Jerseys. Caps. Licensing. You name it, Ohtani will be on it. The Dodgers will when a World Series with Ohtani he a winner and a great ambassador for the game.

@Yubaru yes he will get paid and being a smart guy with smart handlers he deferred a lot of the money to avoid big taxes!! He’s got a good agent also by deferring a lot of the guaranteed money it allows the Dodgers to stay under the baseball cap and be able to pick up some other complimentary players.

I was hoping for a west coast team, so the home games will start after 10am on TV. He’s going to put up some big numbers batting between Mookie and Freddie.

I was one who believed his elbow wouldn’t affect his free agency amount, but still a bit amazed at the 700 million.

Remember, when he first signed with the Angels it was a minimal contract and he bet on himself. He wins big!

I hope very much he realizes every penny of his contract and more because that would mean we'd get to see him perform for the next 10 years. He is an extremely special talent and one that I hope even gets better with age. I play baseball in an over sixty league in Tokyo and I think because of hit talent we're starting to see more and more older Japanese players getting back into ball in their retirement years. Ohtani has been an inspiration to so many... and in Japan he has helped so much to revive the game.

@Fighto!

Go get 'em, GOAT!

GOAT means “Greatest of All Time.”

Ohtani might someday be considered the GOAT, but he first needs to consistently perform at an outstanding level over time against the top competition. He’s been in the Majors for five years and has two AL MVP awards, so he’s certainly on his way. But I’m sure Ohtani himself would not consider himself the GOAT at this point in his career. He’s still on his journey. I wish him the best though.

The Dodgers will pay for his contract in increased attendance, merchandise sales and Advertising alone. And then there is the difference he will make on the field.

I may be alone in thinking this, but I wonder if he would consider shifting to a closer role? Less strain on his arm and the ability to affect more games while still hitting.

But no doubt, he’s worth every penny and the effect he will have on the LA economy will be tangible.

It’s just baseball. It’s not like he found a cure for cancer.

As someone who grew up as a San Francisco Giants fan I hope the Dodgers just wasted a bunch of money and Ohtani's best years are behind him.

As an Angels fan, I am with you in hating the Dodgers lol Their fans are insufferable. I kind of wished he was going elsewhere because flights home to L.A. will continue to be harder to get like they have the past few years in season.

Wow!!..

Good for him..

Too much money..

And too much taxes..

Can't root for him as much as I want to. Too bad Atlanta didn't pick him up.

Congrats to Otani, his future kids, grandkids, great grandkids and for ever!

LOL!!..

There is something seriously wrong with the MLB system where one players salary is more than the entire salaries of 6 teams

My wife had to tell me about him when we visited the Shin Hanamaki train station a few years ago. They had a display about him there. Obviously Ohtani is dear to Iwate as the prefecture doesn't have much to brag about, although I find it lovely.

Good for him. Good for the Dodgers. Poor old Yrral will be most upset about this.

That is a crazy amount of money even for a player like Ohtani. Dodgers needs pitching, I am not sure if they can still afford another high leverage pitcher and Ohtani will not pitch next season. I truly hope he pitch again but this is his second operation where recovery risks are significantly higher specially for him that continue to bat as DH.

Jan - Nov 2023: Otani is the darling of the league, everyone loves him!!!!!

Dec 2023: he’s now a Dodger!

crap……..well, we USED to like him.

Apr. 1  03:07 am JSTPosted in: Ohtani strikes out 10 in Angels' opening loss to A's  See in context

[ YubaruMar. 31 07:29 pm JST

Good job, Ohtani… but you need to go to a real team asap…(!); a Japanese person would say: **mottainai**…; what a waste, indeed.

' A.S.A.P.? He is currently, with endorsements included, THE highest paid player in MLB this year. Not to mention there are 161 more games to play.

If you judge a team, in a new season, after one game, you really dont know much about baseball. ' ]

[ NOMINATIONToday 12:02 am JST

Good job, Ohtani… but you need to go to a real team asap…(!); a Japanese person would say: **mottainai**…; what a waste, indeed.

' Game 1 of 162. ' ]

..

smh...; is this his first or second or third or fourthseason at the Angels...?; you know where I'm going, right...?...;

a player that is widely considered one of the best basebal players of all time if not the best baseball player of all time deserves more than just some full pockets and some individual awards...; his most important collective trophies were with/in Japan...; (and here I was thinking that the MLB was supposed to be the best baseball league in the world... by far...)...;

I could easily find twenty articles (yeah, twenty, that's two zero) explaining why he should leave the Angels..., we've been hearing this for the past two years...; even someone that doesn't really care about this sport knows this...; but you're the baseball experts, not me.

rainydayMar. 31 08:55 pm JST

I’ll assume the poster you are responding to was basing his judgment on them having six straight seasons with a losing record heading into this year rather than the result of a single game.

..

HiroMar. 31 09:30 pm JST

The moment Shohei leaves the mound, the relievers screw up the whole thing. Couldn't even last 2 innings. And this was against the A's no less. One of the weakest team projected this year. The A's lineup had nothing and still won. And this is why people find it so hard to support the Angels. They just keep ruining it when it actually count. Nothing change from last year.

Shohei can strikes out as many as he want, get as many RBI's as he want and the Angles will still find some way to screw him over and lose the match.

..

justaskingToday 12:02 am JST

And he began losing again. At least he had a world championship.

“ Thank you 

for pointing out the obvious. “

—

— Just one of the many examples of the conversations I had with some of my fellow JT readers about Ohtani and why he should’ve left the Angels a long time ago…, right, Yubaru? ;)…; I’ve been saying it for a looong time and it (finally) happened(!)… (and yes, it was the Dodgers(!!!) ); Congratulations, Shohei!

Soto joining the Yankees and Ohtani joining the Dodgers just made Yankees vs. Dodgers a must-see again for the World Series. Ohtani going to the Dodgers was a sure thing the moment the season ended so I was not surprised, but 700 mil is a monster amount. Angels jersey and caps will be hard to see from now on in Japan. Next: Yamamoto joins the Bombers. Steinbrenner's sons don't have the spending cojones he did, but they better go after him hard. Don't know if the Dodgers can afford him. Can't wait for that domino to fall, though.

Fighto!

   Worth every cent of that $700 mill to the Dodgers, too.

That will be determined. As they say, * the proof of the pudding (is in the eating) i*

I had been hoping he’d end up with the Jays, but I think he’ll look good in Dodger blue. Hope he has a great 2024 season.

I remember watching him play for the Hamfighters at Sapporo Dome back in 2016. I knew then like Bat boy that he was heading to the Major league to do big.

Wish him the best. California income tax authorities must be so happy.

Wow!

What is worrisome is that the Dodgers failed to win a single game in this year's World Series. Whether Otani's decision will turn out to be a good one or not...

I look forward to seeing his success next year.

The Dodgers are well known to Japanese people due to Hideo Nomo's success.

Otani, who boasts the No. 1 sales of uniforms alone, will likely make his money back quickly.

＠deanzaZZR

I don't know if your wife is Korean or Japanese, but she seems like a very polite person. (not sarcastic)

For reference, Iwate Prefecture is a famous prefecture in the Tohoku region for its summer festivals, fireworks displays, Wanko Soba in Morioka, the world heritage site Chusonji Temple, and the Blue Cave, which are full of historical buildings, specialties, and nature.

It seems quite humbling that Hanamaki High School's Otani is the only one famous.

As a lifelong Blue Jays fan who started to believe the rumours and thought we might actually have a legitimate shot at signing Ohtani, I am gutted.

I hope Ohtani does well, but that the Dodgers continue to underachieve in the postseason.

I remember watching him play for the Hamfighters 

They’re called the “Fighters”. The company that owns them is called Nippon Ham. Calling them the “Hamfighters” is like calling the Kansas City Royals the “City Royals” or the Tampa Bay Rays the “Bay Rays”.

Good luck to the fellow, sporting prowess is the last baston of hope, that whatever one birth or upbringing ,natures or god given exceptional skills prevail over elitism.

There is something seriously wrong with the MLB system where one players salary is more than the entire salaries of 6 teams

Actually it's 8 teams!

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/

Cleveland Guardians

Miami Marlins

Kansas City Royals

Milwaukee Brewers

Cincinnati Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates

Baltimore Orioles

Oakland Athletics

Congratulations to Mr. Ohtani, and congratulations to the Dodgers!

The buzz surrounding Ohtani is also a positive factor for MLB, whose popularity is slumping.

If he performs well, it will be an encouragement to baseball players from all over the world, as seen in the WBC. Baseball is also played in Australia, but it is still a minor game. However, interacting through sports can be a source of encouragement for each other, and being able to work together through friendly competition will create a very good environment.

The growth of baseball culture outside of Korea and the increasing number of countries participating in the WBC will lead to the development of baseball as a whole. I want Otani to be a person who has a positive influence on the world, not just in Japan or in the American MLB.

Yes your correct Caro-boya, I just love the name so I call them Ham fighter, Yubaru It 70 million a season for Showboy so that an average is 8 divided 70 million = of 8.75 million per team per season ? I don't know the salary of the club so ????

Beat me to it @carp_boya! That grates on me as well. Always can tell who are newbies to NPB when they call them the "Ham Fighters".

deanzaZZR

As someone who grew up as a San Francisco Giants fan I hope the Dodgers just wasted a bunch of money and Ohtani's best years are behind him.

Go Giants !!!!!

Only bay area peeps understands the love to hate LA

It was the 2010 Giants team that brought respectability back to the major league.

Go Giants!

Ummm, anyone interested in purchasing a slightly worn Anaheim Angle's cap?

What is worrisome is that the Dodgers failed to win a single game in this year's World Series.

No kidding! 28 other teams "failed" to win a single game in this year's WS as none of them qualified!

es your correct Caro-boya, I just love the name so I call them Ham fighter, Yubaru It 70 million a season for Showboy so that an average is 8 divided 70 million = of 8.75 million per team per season ? I don't know the salary of the club so ????

Your math needs some help! Otani is going to get 70 Million per year. The 8 teams I noted, have 26 players that will receive, collectively, less than 70 Million altogether.

Read the link.

Agent_NeoToday 12:15 pm JST

What is worrisome is that the Dodgers failed to win a single game in this year's World Series. Whether Otani's decision will turn out to be a good one or not...

The 2023 World Series was played between the eventual champs, the Texas Rangers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Might just be the reason the Dodgers didn't win any games.

@Yubaru--You are premature to estimate eight teams have such a low payroll for 2024. Only two were under 70 mil for 2023. The very good small market Brewers were between 110 and 120 million, for example. Why would they drop 50 mil in payroll in one year? Hold your horses until the rosters are fully signed, sheesh!

I stopped watching the news here for good because of this guy. It was bad enough with athletes they hyped up who did not deserve it and quickly faded from the limelight (was good to see Ishikawa Ryu doing well again in golf the other day.... "Who?" I hear many say), but now that Shohei is doing amazingly overseas (Japan's ultimate goal and belief of success, since domestic is not as important or good), it's 3 minutes on the war in Gaza/Israel, 5 minutes on domestic politics and scandals, and 40 minutes on who will take up Shohei Ohtani, including hiring American psychics to predict what team will be the highest bidder -- well, past tense since it's been decided.

But hey, I guess when you have nothing to hope for...

Awwww, all those poor students of mine will now have to ditch their Angel’s goods, switch allegiance and waste more money.

@Smithinjapan--if you meant Ichikawa Ryo, the guy seems to do fine on the JGT, ranking top 10 in earnings this year and last. In 2019 he was 3rd overall with over 100 million yen in prize money plus who knows how much in marketing deals. No need to rip on him for not sticking in the PGA, which now has its own issues with players defecting to LIV.

Ohtani's talent can't be questioned, and his two-way ability is unmatched in MLB right now. The two-time MVP Award winner can take control of a game from the pitcher's mound or at the plate. Playing off of Ohtani's allure, if any other athlete wants to match that they will have two play two positions on a team. For example a running back playing a linebacker. That’s not going to happen but in Ohtani’s case. He is a box office draw, not only will LA win Seoul Korea will too imagine the ticket sales and Japanese lining up to fly to see that game against San Diego in March.

True heroes like nurses, aged care workers, teachers and child care workers work hard for a pittance while sportpersons like Ohtani get hundreds of millions for skill with a ball. Sad.

It's obscene money. No pro athlete is worth that. It's the end of the Dodgers.

Yubaru: The lowest paid player in 2023 was $750,000 USD. Multiply that by 28 the numbers of players per team. That equals 21 million to field a team of the lowest paid players. You must meant my English needs help.

yakyak

It's obscene money. No pro athlete is worth that.

Correct.

It's the end of the Dodgers.

Incorrect.

Great for the Dodgers, and so the inflation continues.

It's obscene money. No pro athlete is worth that. It's the end of the Dodgers.

@ yakyak - You're definitely right. No player is worth that much; not even close to that. There are other professions that are far deserving. Because of these obscene salaries, I've stopped going to MLB games. I'll stick with farm leagues. At least the games are more affordable and more fun for the entire family without the stress.

He may be worth $70M/yr now. (within the twisted economics of professional sports) But, will he still be worth that in 5+ years, during the latter half of the contract? I doubt that very much.

The truly sad part is that even though the Dodgers moved away from Brooklyn before I was even born, being a Brooklyn boy means I am required to hate them in perpetuity. And, living in the SF Bay area for almost 20 years, only adds gravy to the fire. So, I can no longer root for him.

Hey. Dems da rules.

Nonsense remuneration.

He kept saying he wanted a championship. But in the end, as most do, he chose money.

Why choose the Dodgers if you really want a championship?

$680 million is deferred, interest free, until 2034-2043.

Ask Trade

Only bay area peeps understands the love to hate LA

Incorrect. Brooklyn baseball fans have been hating them from before the Giants even moved to SF.

(And, NY fans, in general, don't care for the Giants, for the very same reason they hate the Dodgers.)

It was the 2010 Giants team that brought respectability back to the major league.

What does that even mean?

masterblaster

He kept saying he wanted a championship. But in the end, as most do, he chose money.

Why choose the Dodgers if you really want a championship?

He has a far far better chance with the Dodgers than he did with the Angels, or most other teams.